OPERA TO OPEN WITH A BANGER

OPERA BALLO is fancied to give his Charlie Appleby stablemate, and favourite for the meeting's opening contest, Notable Speech, plenty to think about.

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That Rebel's Romance's success in last year’s Hardwicke Stakes is Appleby’s sole winner from 36 Royal Ascot runners since Naval Crown landed the 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is a concern.

But it’s equally true that Notable Speech and Opera Ballo have outstanding claims, and it’s the latter who gets the vote.